by Aria Socratous.
Marc Demetriou is a top-rated motivational speaker who has appeared at the Mastermind Summit along with world-renowned motivational speaker Tony Robbins and Barbara Corcoran from ABC’s Shark Tank. He is also a certified and licensed instructor, offering continuing education credits to accountants, realtors, financial planners, and managed care professionals throughout New Jersey. He was also cohost on WVNJ’s popular The Real Estate and Money Show. Recently he wrote a highly motivational book under the title “Lessons From My Grandfather: Wisdom for Success in Business and Life.”, derived from the wisdom of a very unique man, his grandfather.
His grandfather Charlie came to the US in 1929 and saw the Great Depression drive economic opportunity into the ground and yet the country still held out such promise to him.
“When I first saw the Statue of Liberty, it seemed as big as my dreams and oh what a wonder it was to see it personally welcoming me. It felt as if I was finally home.”, he said to his grandson Marc.
Marc talked to Writersgang for the special bond he had with his grandfathr
- What inspired you to write a book about your grandfather? What was so unique about your grand father’s story that you wanted to write it down?
As a small child in the village of Kyrenia on the island of Cyprus, my grandfather Charlie, by the age of seven he knew that it was his duty to work diligently for opportunities in his family’s small Cyprus village were limited and all business and entrerpreneurs struggled in the land where he grew up.
In 1916, in the small village of Kyrenia, life was lived between the warmth of the sun, the music of the sea and the simplicity of an unbearable poverty.
It always impressed me and inspired me of how this man at the age of sixteen he said “I don’t want to be poor, I don’t want to be stuck in this island poor like this, I want to be something important in life. At the age of 16 he knew that and he left his family in the middle of the night ad he didn’t say anything to neither his friends nor his family. He left during the night by boat from the island and he went to Greece. His story was so impressive to me that I had the drive and desire to want to succeed in life but not just that. The wisdom that this man carried inspired me to write the book as well. This man’s stories definitely should be written in a book. He created his own success but your life is a choice. You make choices all day long. Life is defined by choices. Good choices, bad choices. For him it was a choice to say “I’m leaving”. His father found out that he was leaving the same day that he was on the boat. When he saw him he told him “You have my blessing, I didn’t know you are leaving.” He left everything behind, everything he had.
My goal with this book was to share my mentor with the world so his story can help to inspire, motivate, and empower thousands, if not millions of people one day to live their very best life. It is my way of giving back because I was advantaged to have my grandfather in my life for 37 years until his passing at 97. Now everyone can have him as their mentor as well.”
He truly made success simple. As a child, he looked upon America as the Land of Opportunity. To him it was “the light, the lamp and the golden door.”
- What is your grandfather’s biggest lesson?
One of the most stark lessons was that you must treat every single person you deal with as if he or she matters more than anyone else on earth. Give that person the very best that you have to give in that moment. That was to my grandfather Charlie, the most important key to unlocking the door to success. My grandfather sent money back to help his family in Cyprus and always helped others along the way. He got ahead in life because he was likable, trustworthy, passionate, positive, joyful, and appreciative. He knew that there is always someone less fortunate than you, no matter where you are in life or what your situation is. He was awake and alive to the suffering of others and always felt that doing for others was a positive force for the soul.”
My grandfather thought of me as the son he never had and we were literally best friends. He was always telling me stories and giving me great advice and guidance. He also read two newspapers a day and would cut out articles and give them to me. I had this unbelievable mentor in my life and it just hit me one day that I needed to share him with the world.”
- Did your grandfather ever traveled back to his homeland?
Yes he did. After the Turkish invasion he traveled back but his father had passed away. The last trip I went on with my grandfather was to Cyprus,”
He was from Kyrenia but we didn’t visit that part of the island. We did spend time with family and also vacationed all over the Island. It was extra special because several times on our journey we met people along the way that knew my grandfather and his family. It was an amazing trip and I will never forget it.”
I love Cyprus, Greece and the people here and overseas, even though I was born in the United States, and so were my parents. I have a true affinity for the culture and “the great Greek way of life” which I attribute to my grandfather and his family upbringing as a whole
- How difficult is to balance personal life with work and career goals?
There are 24 hours in a day, and how you use those hours is up to you. We all have demands in our life, but time management is very important. Every minute in our lives is precious. But to have a family life-work balance, you need to stay focused and use your time wisely. Time management, organizational skills, and scheduling are all very important. You don’t want to miss out on spending time with family. Especially when your kids are young so be sure to treasure every minute with them. Success in business and life doesn’t come without hard work, commitment and sacrifice. But, having the proper balance will enable you be a true success.”
